ANNEX II: ACHIEVEMENT OF TARGETS FOR GLOBAL EXPECTED ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND LESSONS LEARNED OVER 2014-2017
Analysis of the
assessments of the
indicators
During the reporting cycle, UN Human Rights has
made significant progress as a results-based organization. In widely varied contexts, plans were consistently
implemented and reports were drafted in relation to
almost all of the planned results, regardless of the extent to which they were achieved. In cases where targets were not achieved, explanations were provided
to ensure that lessons were identified to inform future
decision-making about the planning of results, target
setting and the selection of strategies.
Of the above-mentioned targets, UN Human Rights
achieved or exceeded targets for 23 of the 33 assessed
global targets. In relation to nine of the targets, the level
of achievement ranged between 70 and 80 per cent.
Finally, the percentage of achievement in relation to
four targets was between 50 per cent and 70 per cent.
The countries of engagement are not limited to countries where UN Human Rights has a presence. However, a reduction in the number and size of field presences unquestionably impacted the achievement of
targets at the national level. Specifically, several field
presences were closed or reduced in size, i.e. Bolivia,
Côte d’Ivoire and Togo. Furthermore, as noted above,
adjustments were made to programme implementation plans in some countries in order to reflect implementation challenges or the development of new
trends/situations. This was the case in countries/regions where events of a considerable magnitude took
place that largely rendered the original results frameworks irrelevant (i.e., Bahrain, Burundi, Egypt, GuineaBissau, Iraq, Libya, Mauritania, Myanmar, South Sudan,
Sudan (Darfur), Yemen). The impact on the achievement of targets of all indicators was particularly evident in terms of increased compliance of national legislation, policies, programmes and institutions with
international human rights standards (EA 1 and EA 4).
In response, UN Human Rights successfully focused
its programme on strategies to increase the responsiveness of the international community (EA 10), the
functioning of protection mechanisms (EA 3) and the
mainstreaming of human rights into UN policies and
programmes (EA 11).
The OMP 2014-2017 emphasized a strengthening of the
international protection system by improving the engagement of Member States, civil society and the larger
UN family with the international human rights mechanisms. This is an area where all targets were met and
exceeded. In the case of the Universal Periodic Review,
the engagement of Member States was 100 per cent
during the second cycle and the number of submissions made by the UN and civil society increased. Also,
more Heads of States and ministers attended the UPR
consultations and sessions of the Human Rights Council. With regard to the treaty bodies, the strengthening
process provided funding for additional meeting hours,
which resulted in the review of more country reports.
There was an increase in the number of submitted initial
and long overdue reports, which in turn enabled civil society groups to engage with the treaty bodies through
their submission of alternative reports. Moreover, rightsholders made more submissions to the mechanisms in
relation to individual cases. Finally, although Member
State engagement with the special procedures is not
yet universal, there was a clear improvement. For instance, more standing invitations were issued, thematic
procedures visited more countries and more positive
responses were received from governments in response to individual complaints.
Another area of focus in the OMP 2014-2017 was the
increased integration of human rights into UN policies
and programmes. All of the set targets were achieved.
On the other hand, not all global targets that measured the increased compliance of national legislation
policies, programmes and institutions with international human rights standards were achieved. One
exception was in relation to the institutionalization of
human rights training. Specifically, engagement with
national institutions to develop curricula/modules that
would integrate human rights into mandatory training
for the judiciary, police or army or in the curricula of
formal education led to the institutionalization of human rights training in 24 countries. With regard to the
compliance of legislation and policies with international human rights standards, a significant improvement
in one or more areas was achieved in 39 countries
of engagement. The established target was 54 countries. The progress achieved in the remaining countries of engagement varied to a considerable extent.
No progress was reported in those cases where the
deteriorating human rights situation did not allow for
further engagement on these issues. In several countries of engagement, draft legislation or policies in
compliance with international human rights standards
have been presented to their respective legislative
bodies and are pending approval. Finally, in many cases, the assessment showed that working to achieve
legislative changes encouraged the development of
a strong constituency where government institutions,
civil society organizations and the general public
could exchange views on these issues.
Overall, ensuring the compliance of institutions with
international human rights standards, withdrawing
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